Vol. 26, No. 31
Best of Tucson® 2009
25th Anniversary Edition
By Jimmy Boegle
Danehy
Notes on the freeway, 'Glee' and various political issues of import
By Tom Danehy
Police Action
Would Tucson's Prop 200 be worth the cost to taxpayers?
By Jim Nintzel
From the Ideologues
Planned Parenthood fights new abortion laws that force doctors, according to one lawmaker, to lie
By Mari Herreras
Poorer Than Average
What's to blame for Tucson's high poverty rate? Various experts disagree
By Dave Devine
Captive Lifestyle
Those who live in Arizona RV parks have little legal protection from landlords
By Tim Vanderpool
Guest Opinion
The city could benefit greatly from a true understanding of the 'creative class' theory
By Derek Eysenbach
Ask a Mexican!
By Gustavo Arellano
Prepare to Crawl
The Skinny
Media Watch
By John Schuster
Police Dispatch
By Anna Mirocha
K. Rat
Mailbag
Messina
Veterans Affairs and Hollywood could learn a thing or two from local Pagans
By Irene Messina
Random Shots
Red Meat
T Q&A
By Nathan Mitchell
City Week
By Nathan Mitchell and Erica Nannini
Tough Side of Tap
By Amanda Portillo
Guitar Heroes
Jimmy Page's love of music charms while Jack White and The Edge annoy in 'It Might Get Loud'
By James DiGiovanna
Smug S.O.B.
Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh cleverly treat this true corporate-whistleblower story like a comedy
By Bob Grimm
Now Showing at Home
Top Ten in Movies
Little Orchestra
Pink Martini seeks to meld world influences with the beauty of old-school American culture
By Gene Armstrong
Soundbites
By Stephen Seigel
Nine Questions
By Kristine Peashock
Live
Pearl Jam: Backspacer (Monkeywrench)
By Michael Petitti
The Dodos: Time to Die (Frenchkiss)
By Eric Swedlund
Phonograph: Okno (BNS Sessions)
By Jarret Keene
Top Ten in Music
Soaring Success
Arizona Theatre Company's season opener flies as high as theater can go
By Sherilyn Forrester
On the Road
IT's 'Leaving Iowa' bypasses heartache and veers into sitcom territory
By Nathan Christensen
Homegrown Collaboration
Furniture, glass art, paintings and photographs share the spotlight at Etherton
By Margaret Regan
Feather Punches
Despite a formal elegance, poet Judy Ray's latest book packs an emotional wallop
Top Ten in Books
Fill 'Er Up
Identity crisis aside, PJ Subs/T6 offers up tasty sandwiches and a full bar
Noshing Around
By Adam Borowitz
The BOT Interview: Richard Elías
The BOT Interview: Dr. Richard Carmona
The BOT Interview: Dmitri Bartlett
By Aleksa Brown
The BOT Interview: J.A. Jance
The BOT Interview: Jeff Yanc
The BOT Interview: Jonathan Paton
The BOT Interview: Charles Bowden
The BOT Interview: Jack Dykinga
The BOT Interview: Gary Patch and Darren Clark
The BOT Interview: Tana Kelch
By Sarah Jacoby
The BOT Interview: Ray Carroll
Best Specialty Foods
AJ's Fine Foods
Best Delicatessen
Shlomo and Vito's New York Delicatessen
Best Organic Food Store
Sunflower Farmers Market
Best Caterer
Blue House Catering
Best Desserts
Beyond Bread/Something Sweet Dessert Lounge
Best Custom Cakes
Nadine's Pastry Shoppe
Best Fresh-Baked Bread
Beyond Bread
Best Burger
Zinburger
Best Barbecue
Brushfire BBQ Co.
Best Sandwich
Best Pizza
Brooklyn Pizza Company
Best Ice Cream
Frost, a Gelato Shoppe
Best Bagels
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
Best Tortillas
Alejandro's Tortilla Factory
Best Burrito
Nico's Mexican Food
Best Smoothie
Xoom Juice
Best Sonoran Hot Dogs
El Guero Canelo
Best Fish Tacos
Rubio's
Best Empanadas
Mamma Llama's Gourmet Empanadas
Best Guacamole
Guadalajara Grill
Best Tamales
Tucson Tamale Company
Best Huevos Rancheros
Frank's Restaurant
Best Non-Pizza Place to Feed a Crowd
Lucky Wishbone
Best All-Night Mexican Food
Viva Burrito Company
Best Chinese Buffet
Dragon View
Best Place to Get a Hangover Breakfast
The Bagelry/Brooklyn Bagel Corp.
Best Moments of Chowing Down in Tucson
Just After Being Handed the Piping-Hot Fries at Pat's Drive-In
Best Treat to Beat the Heat
Oasis Raspados
Best Plain Glazed Doughnuts
Le Cave's
Best 'Cutesy' Meal
The Chili in the Bread Bowl at Bison Witches
Best Fine Art Gallery
Etherton Gallery
Best Mural
"Windows to the Past, Gateway to the Future" (by Steve Farley)
Best Art Museum
Tucson Museum of Art
Best Public Art
Rattlesnake Bridge (by Simon Donovan)
Best Local Performing Artist
Flam Chen
Best Indoor Venue
Rialto Theatre
Best Outdoor Venue
Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater
Best Movie Theater
Loft Cinema
Best Art Classes
The Drawing Studio
Best Painting Exhibition
Nancy Tokar Miller: In Retrospect and Natural Selections: Jim Waid Paintings (TIE)
Best Drawing Exhibition
Alice Leora Briggs
Best Dancing in the Streets
The Invisible City
Best Theater News
The Rogue Theatre's New Home
Best Night Out for Highbrow Paupers
UA School of Music Recitals
Best Discount Movie Deal
Crossroads 6 Grand Cinemas
Best New Festival
Tucson Festival of Books
Best Spot for Some Old-Time Cinema
Fox Tucson Theatre
Best Annual Festival
Fourth Avenue Street Fair
Best Spectacle for Charity
Humane Society of Southern Arizona Puttin' on the Dog
Best Contemporary Architecture
Best Local Activist/Advocacy Group
Wingspan
Best Alternative Health Center
Tucson Community Acupuncture
Best Day Spa
Gadabout SalonSpas
Best Public Servant
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
Best Local TV Newscast
KVOA Channel 4
Best Radio Station for News
KUAZ FM 89.1/AM 1550
Best Country Music Station
KIIM FM 99.5
Best Pop Music Station
KRQQ FM 93.7
Best Rock Music Station
KFMA FM 92.1/101.3
Best Radio Personality
Johnjay and Rich, KRQQ FM 93.7
Best Radio Talk Show (Host)
Jon Justice, KQTH FM 104.1, "The Truth"
Best Gym
LA Fitness
Best Bowling Alley
Lucky Strike Bowl
Best Hair Salon
Best Yoga Studio
Tucson Yoga
Best Sex Toy Shop
Fascinations
Best Tattoo Parlor
Enchanted Dragon Tattooing
Best Goth/Leather Shop
Hydra Leather and More
Best Car Wash
Capin Car Care Center
Best Auto Repair
BRAKEmax/Jimmy's Broadway Automotive
Best Florist
Inglis Florists
Best Street
Speedway Boulevard
Best Resource for the Unemployed
Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona
Best Place to Have a Haircut Adventure (With Good Results)
The Coyote Wore Sideburns
Best Place to Go Around in Circles
Traffic Circle at Grande Avenue and Cushing Street
Best Prep Sports Rivalry
Ironwood Ridge vs. Salpointe in Boys Basketball
Best Way to See Big League Baseball
Diamond Express Bus
Best Personal Trainer
Todd Judge at Fit at the River
Best Architectural Adaptive Reuse
The Tiki Head at the Hut
Best Way to View Democracy in All its Clumsy Splendor
Tucson City Council Meetings
Best Tourism Idea Since the Car
La Siesta Motel
Best Home Amenity
A Stock Tank from OK Feed and Supply
Best Example of City Efficiency
The Scott Avenue remodel
Best Public Garden
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Best Recreation Area in Southern Arizona
Sabino Canyon
Best Bike Riding
Rillito River Park Trail
Best Hike
Sabino Canyon (general)
Best Backpacking Trail
Best Campground
Mount Lemmon (general)
Best Urban Landscaping
University of Arizona
Best Park
Gene C. Reid Park
Best Park for Paranoia
Santa Rita Skate Park
Best Way to Get Your Butt Kicked
Cooper Fitness Boot Camps
Best Trashy Education
Los Reales Landfill
Best Kids' Bike Ride
Best Introduction to the Sonoran Desert (Without Breaking a Sweat)
A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert
Best National Park
Saguaro National Park
Best Trainspotting
Maynards Market and Kitchen
Best Bike Ride
Alley Cat Scavenger Hunt to benefit El Grupo Youth Cycling
Best Toy Store
Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toys
Best Clothing Store
Lil' Traders (formerly Buffalo Kids)
Best Catered-to-Kids Restaurant
Chuck E. Cheese's
Best Playground
Best Birthday Party Place
Best Fun for the Whole Family
Golf 'n' Stuff
Best 25 Cents You Could Ever Spend on Your Kid
Quincie Douglas Pool
Best Summer Camp Experience
Fenster Ranch Summer Camp
Best Place to Get a Last-Minute Birthday Present
Kid's Center
Best Free Thing to Do With the Kids
First Sundays at the Tucson Museum of Art
Best Theater to Get Your Silly On
The Gaslight Theatre
Best City Excursion With the Kids
Fourth Avenue, with a stop for Dairy Queen, and entertainment provided by the Hare Krishnas
Best Breakfast
Blue Willow
Best Brunch
Best Chinese
Guilin Healthy Chinese Restaurant
Best Diner
Grill
Best French
Le Rendez-Vous
Best Greek
Fronimo's Greek Café
Best Indian
Gandhi Cuisine of India
Best Italian
Gavi
Best Middle Eastern
AliBaba
Best Seafood
Kingfisher Bar and Grill
Best Modern Cuisine
Feast/Pastiche Modern Eatery
Best Steakhouse
Sullivan's Steak House
Best Sushi
Sushi Garden
Best Thai
Char's Thai
Best Upscale Dining
Janos/J BAR
Best Casual Dining
The B Line
Best Outdoor Seating
Best Late-Night Eats
Best Buffet
Sweet Tomatoes
Best Vietnamese
Miss Saigon
Best Japanese
Yoshimatsu Healthy Japanese Eatery
Best Mexican Fast Food/Drive-Thru
Best Mexican
Café Poca Cosa
Best Salsa
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Lovin' Spoonfuls
Best Veggie Burger
Best House-Blend Coffee
Raging Sage
Best Café Hangout
Epic Café
Best Local Coffee Roaster
Best Tea Service
Seven Cups
Best Bulk Tea Selection
Best Mexican Food for Vegetarians
La Indita
Best Restaurant for Gluten-Free Pizza
Eclectic Pizza
Best Free Appetizer
Patatas Bravas at Casa Vicente
Best Izakaya Dining
Ginza
Best Eastside Pizza
Tino's Pizza
Best Restaurant Row
Campbell Avenue Corridor
Best Romantic Setting
Best Pan-Fried Noodles
Great Wall China
Best Mantu
Sultan Palace
Best Classic 'Special'
Joe's Special at Mama Louisa's
Best Answer to the Carnivore's Dilemma
Lindy's on Fourth
Best Karma (Chameleon)
Café 54
Best Coconut Curry
Neo of Melaka
Best-Tasting Local Brew
Nimbus Brewing Company
Best Sports Bar
World Sports Grille
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar
IBT's
Best Upscale Bar Ambiance
NoRTH
Best Lowbrow Bar Ambiance
The Buffet
Best Nightclub
Club Congress
Best Cocktail Menu
Kon Tiki Restaurant and Lounge
Best Happy Hour
Zona 78
Best Place to Dance
Best Beer Selection on Tap
1702
Best Martini
Best Margarita
El Charro Café
Best Wine Bar
Armitage Wine Lounge and Café
Best Signature Cocktail
The Scorpion at Kon Tiki Restaurant and Lounge
Best Billiards
Clicks Billiards
Best Wine/Liquor Store
Plaza Liquors and Fine Wines
Best Margarita Madness
Milagro Tequila World Margarita Championship at the Tucson Culinary Festival
Best Dedication to the Art of Bartending
Tiger, the daytime bartender at the Tap Room
Best 'Ice Water'
jaxKitchen
Best Place for a Black and Tan
The Shanty
Best New Cocktail
The Beergee's
Best Place to Feel Like You Just Snuck Your First Beer
The Huge Chair at the Bay Horse Tavern
Best Place to Watch a Bartender Burn Off His Eyebrows
The Auld Dubliner
Best Independent Bookstore
Antigone Books
Best New Bookstore
Barnes and Noble
Best Used Books
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Best Retail Music Store
Zia Records
Best Video Store
Casa Video
Best Comics/Games Shop
Heroes and Villains
Best Resale/Vintage Clothing
Buffalo Exchange
Best Fashions (Locally Owned)
Maya Palace/Zoe Boutique
Best Antiques/Kitsch/Collectibles
Copper Country Antiques
Best Art/Artisan Jewelry
Bohemia
Best Commercial Jewelry
Rainbow Jewelers
Best Home Furnishings
Copenhagen
Best Plant Nursery
Mesquite Valley Growers
Best Sporting Goods
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Best Outdoor Recreation Store
Summit Hut
Best Bike Shop
Ordinary Bike Shop
Best Video Games Store
GameStop
Best Musical Instrument Store
Chicago Music Store
Best Pet Supplies Store
PetSmart
Best Junkyard Shopping
Gerson's Used Building Materials
Best Independent Newsstand
Crescent Tobacco Shop and Newsstand
Best Green Home-Decorating-Supply Store
Originate Natural Building Materials Showroom
Best Place to Find Ways to Advertise Your Subversive
Peace Supplies
Best Opportunity to Shop With Like Minds
Clues Unlimited
Best Jaw-Dropping Store Policy
Kohl's
Best Locally Headquartered International Operation
Freecycle
Best Cooler Pads
Miracle Breeze
View Articles List | Browse Cover Archives
